F1: Alonso Leaves Jerez Test To Massa And De La Rosa

Formula 1

F1: Alonso Leaves Jerez Test To Massa And De La Rosa

Fernando Alonso takes a pass on first test...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted January 24, 2013 Balen (BEL)

Fernando Alonso came up short in his bid for a third World Championship. (Photo: Getty Images)

Fernando Alonso will miss the first test of 2013 in Jerez, leaving the new Ferrari to Felipe Massa and recently recruited test driver Pedro de la Rosa.

Ferrari has opted for continuity – and the chance to give Massa some useful mileage – by giving him the first three days of the Jerez test. De la Rosa will do the last, primarily to give him experience of the real car before he focuses on the developing the simulator program.

Alonso will get his chance at the second test in Barcelona, where he will drive for three days and Massa for one.

At the second Barcelona test the two drivers will alternate, running two days apiece. Alonso will complete five days, Massa seven, and De la Rosa just one.

Ferrari also confirmed that the new car’s engine was fired up for the first time yesterday.

Adam Cooper notched up his 28th season as a racing journalist in 2012. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.